To Benjamin Franklin from David Hartley, 2 March 1784
From David Hartley
Two ALS: Library of Congress, William L. Clements Library; transcript: National Archives
London March 2 1784
My Dear friend
Will you be so good as to transmitt the enclosed to Mr Jay. I am sorry that we are going to loose him from this side of the atlantic.8 If your American ratification shd arrive speedily, I might hope to have the pleasure of seeing him again before his departure. As soon as I hear from you of the arrival of your ratification I will immediately apply for the dispatch of the British Ratification.9 I wish very much to have the pleasure of conversing with you again. In hopes that that time may come soon, I have nothing farther to say at present. Believe always to be what you have always known me to have been; a friend of general Philanthropy, and particularly Your ever most affecte
D Hartley
To Dr Franklin &c &c &c
Endorsed: D Hartley Esqr to B F. March 2. 1784—
8. The enclosed letter, dated March 2, was a response to Jay’s farewell letter to Hartley of Feb. 22, announcing his intention to return to America in the spring. Jay was awaiting the settlement of his public accounts before leaving France: Jay Papers, III, 561, 565–6, 572–3, 579.
9. Congress had ratified the Definitive Treaty of Peace on Jan. 14 and immediately dispatched the ratification to Paris for an exchange with the British: XLI, 456–7, 464–6.